Chen Jingzhai’s body was completely buried in the pit, while his head stuck out from the ground. He shut his eyes and tried activating the technique from within.

This was his first time cultivating the Rock Technique, but he managed to invoke a response from his spirit root within 10 minutes.

The quivering sensation he felt from his spirit root was indescribable. All his five senses were heightened.

As someone who knew the scripture like the back of his hand, he instantly knew that this was an indication of him successfully beginning his cultivation.

The first step of cultivation was inducting Qi into one’s body. In other words, a cultivator needed to detect the essential power of the heavens and the earth around them.

Then, with the help of their spirit root, they would take in the essence power compatible with their attribute and slowly refine it within them.

It was difficult for ordinary people to develop a connection between their spiritual roots and the essence power in their surroundings. Spirit roots could not be activated on their own. Therefore, cultivators utilized techniques to control or activate their spiritual roots.

Chen Jingzhai had performed a formidable feat by causing his spirit root to vibrate within just 10 minutes.

He recalled his master saying this was a bizarre phenomenon unique to those who possessed the heaven spirit root.

Chen Jingzhai suppressed his joy and tried to detect the essence power around him with his heightened senses.

With the aid of his heighted senses and vibrating spirit root, he could hear the blood flowing inside his body. He could hear the sound of his organs functioning and his heart beating. He could even sense the texture of the soil rubbing against his skin.

As he continued cultivating the Rock Technique, he sensed a power gushing toward him from within the pit.

The power was akin to flowing water and foggy mist, so he could not detect it clearly.

Suddenly, a cooling sensation enveloped his skin, followed by a gush of warm Qi rushing into his body.

His pores immediately opened. Breathing in, earthly-yellow essence power surged into every corner of his figure.

This essence power followed the Rock Technique and rapidly circulated inside him.

Suddenly, Chen Jingzhai sensed a large amount of earthy-yellow essence power being refined and entering his core.

After his core was filled, a pure earth spiritual power emerged from within it.

It flowed through his meridians and rapidly spread out across his body.

The earth spiritual power circulating in his body was absorbing more and more earthy-yellow essence power.

His earth spiritual power rapidly grew more powerful. After flowing through his meridians, it began to open up his acupoints.

A mass of spiritual power appeared. This proved that Chen Jingzhai had successfully inducted Qi into his body.

After the Qi circulated throughout his body, he reached Level 1 of the Meditation Plane.

Then after opening his 10 primary acupoints and 36 sub acupoints, he reached Level 2 of the Meditation Plane.

By sunrise, Chen Jingzhai had already reached Level 3 of the Meditation Plane. The 20 major acupoints and 72 sub acupoints in his body were all opened.

The spiritual power circulated smoothly within him. He did not need to intentionally guide it for it to advance steadily.

After returning to his core, his spiritual power automatically nourished every part of his body.

At the break of dawn, Chen Jingzhai struggled free from the soil and leaped out of the pit.

When he looked back, the hole had already lost all signs of life. The ground was dry and yellowish but sandy to the touch.

Chen Jingzhai commented, “It has only been a night, and I already reached Level 3 of the Meditation Plane with just a mere hole.”

Chen Jingzhai felt that the attempt was truly worthwhile. Pleased, he entered the house and took a shower.

After he had spiritual power in his body, it kept circulating inside him and refined inside his body.

However, he was covered in grime and smelled terrible. As a clean freak, he could not stand it.

After showering and changing into clean long robes, Chen Jingzhai sat cross-legged on his bed.

After inducting Qi into his body, the next goal was to reach Level 9 of the Meditation Plane.

Inducting Qi into one’s body marked the crucial beginning step that differentiated cultivators from commoners. Reaching Level 9 of the Meditation Plane meant taking their first step toward becoming Celestials.

Cultivators at the Meditation Plane could utilize spiritual power to strengthen their bodies. They could even unleash techniques.

Chen Jingzhai diligently trained his physical body since joining the Aspirant Cultivators Academy.

Drawing from the knowledge of his previous life, he did training such as running, squats, and push-ups.

He appeared lean and fair-skinned, but he was muscular underneath his robes.

Things were different now. After he acquired the spiritual power, various aspects of his physique had improved.

Before this, he was just a 12-year-old kid. Even though he had trained his body, digging a hole was difficult.

Now, he could jump out of the hole with a single leap.

His speed and power had completely surpassed that of an ordinary adult. His physique was even more powerful than that of a full-grown man.

This was the benefit of spiritual power.

Chen Jingzhai thought, “Spiritual power is even more miraculous than the true Qi in novels. After all, it is the refined essence power of heavens and earth.”

“I solely cultivated an earth attribute technique and have pure spiritual power. That’s why my physique improved so much.”

“I did not make a mistake in my choice. The masters also did not lie to me. As expected, my earth spirit root is more prominent now.”

“However, the next step won’t be easy.” His face wore a pondering expression.

Reaching Level 3 of the Meditation Plane overnight would undoubtedly shock the Aspirant Cultivators Academy.

However, this was a shortcut. He had not relied on his talents to pull this off.

After the initial shock, he would indeed be questioned about it by the masters. When that happened, he would not be able to escape the investigation.

What benefit would he get out of it? Should he help other aspirant cultivators for free? Should he use his talent to aid others in improving their abilities?

If all the other aspirant cultivators comprehended the Rock Technique swiftly, it would be a huge problem for him.

All the other aspirant cultivators were his competitors. If he helped them, wouldn’t he be acting foolishly?

Chen Jingzhai shook his head. He was not stupid. He would not do such a thing. Hence, he needed to hide the progress of his cultivation. He would need to withhold this information even from Ling Wuque.

After deciding on this, Chen Jingzhai felt more relaxed.

Not long after, Ling Wuque came back with their daily meals.

He walked into Chen Jingzhai’s room, and they ate together.

“Jingzhai, how do you feel?” asked Ling Wuque.

“It might be that the hole was not dug properly. I was not comfortable after being buried. I only really got into it after midnight,” said Chen Jingzhai as he ate. “How’s your progress?”

“Hehe, as expected, the Mudflow Technique is extremely suitable for me,” Ling Wuque said with a glowing expression. “Last night, I was lucky to get deep into it. I managed to sense the essence power. Although I have not inducted Qi into my body, I believe I can do so in a few days.”

“Congratulations,” Chen Jingzhai said with a surprised, happy look. He was a seasoned actor by now.

“Although it is a joyous occasion, you do not need to mind it too much,” Ling Wuque said bitterly. “I heard that the three geniuses have already reached the Meditation Plane. The most powerful among them is already at Level 2.”

“Is it?” Chen Jingzhai maintained his composure while asking, “Wouldn’t Master Ge be over the moon?”

“I heard that he laughed out loud a few times,” said Ling Wuque with a sigh. “Not just those three geniuses, even the six aspirant cultivators with two-element spirit roots successfully inducted Qi into their bodies last night. They just haven’t managed to get it circulating throughout their bodies.”

“How did they manage to pull it off so quickly?” pondered Chen Jingzhai with a frown. “That seems highly unusual.”

“You didn’t see where they live,” lamented Ling Wuque helplessly. “They stay in the most elaborate bamboo house closest to where the masters stay. Rumor has it that the density of essence power there is staggering. It is a hidden benefit.”

“Let’s not ponder it,” said Chen Jingzhai after remaining silent. “Each person has their fate. They are just a step ahead of us. On the journey of cultivation, being one step ahead now doesn’t mean that they will be ahead forever.”

“I know, but being chosen by a celestial clan is our top priority. So… hehe,” Ling Wuque snickered. “Look at what I brought for you. You can thank me.”

“The Magma Technique?” exclaimed Chen Jingzhai in astonishment when he saw the manuscript.

“I went out of my way to exchange this for you. Surprised?” asked Ling Wuque with a smile.

“You used the Mudflow Technique to exchange for this?” inquired Chen Jingzhai with a frown. “We still need to return the manuscripts.”

“I know,” replied Ling Wuque. “I did not exchange it with the Mudflow Technique. I bought it with money. When I was collecting our meals, I found out that people have been doing such transactions since yesterday.”

Chen Jingzhai frowned slightly, but he relaxed after momentarily pondering. After all, he knew that Ling Wuque came from a wealthy family.

They were only six years old when they joined the academy, but Ling Wuque brought along a lot of gold and jewels with him.

Even though they had no use for these treasures in the Aspirant Cultivators Academy, Lin Wuque had been keeping them in his possession.

The people who sold the techniques would most likely be those with five-element spirit roots or four-element spirit roots.

They had given up on being recruited by any celestial clans. They sold their techniques because they had plotted another career path for themselves.

The academy did not forbid the act of exchanging techniques among the aspirant cultivators. However, spreading the methods to any outsiders was strictly prohibited.

If the aspirant cultivators failed to be enlisted into any celestial clan, they would be recruited by the Pulao Kingdom.

Before leaving the academy, their memory of all techniques, aside from the method they chose to cultivate, would be wiped out.

The people who sold their techniques did so to gather more wealth. They also wanted to connect with as many other aspirant cultivators as possible.

In the future, when they met again, they would have different statuses, with some being Celestials while some being mere mortals. They would have a common discussion topic with the cultivators if the latter bought techniques from them before.